Every 45 minutes, or less than the length of a Sesame Street episode, a child visits the ER because of a TV tipping over. It’s something most parents don’t even think about. But securing your TV and furniture is an important part of baby-proofing your home. Here’s all you need to know to get started.

Top Safety Tips

• Assess the stability of the TVs in your home.
• Mount flat-screen TVs to the wall to prevent them from toppling off stands. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that you have a secure fit.
• If you have a large, heavy, old-style cathode ray tube (CRT) TV, place it on a low, stable piece of furniture.
• Use brackets, braces or wall straps to secure unstable or top-heavy furniture to the wall.
• Install stops on dresser drawers to prevent them from being pulled all the way out. Multiple open drawers can cause the weight to shift, making it easier for a dresser to fall.
• Keep heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers.
• Avoid placing remote controls, food, toys or other items in places where babies might be tempted to climb up or reach for them.

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